Hunting Forum

I was finally able to get a landowner to express some interest in a food plot for a piece he lets me hunt with him.  From what he said I think he is looking for something to turkey hunt in spring (maybe not the first year), and then deer hunt in the fall/late season.(I am not convinced it is possible for one small plot to cover that much time).  This piece is only about 20 acres and the spot he wants to put it in is only maybe an acre tops, but I am hoping that if this one is successful I can persuade him to put in some more in some other open locations . (he still likes to hunt: walk in sit down be quite and get lucky...)

I'm guessing it's already too late to plant oats up there, but as soon as the ground thaws in the spring, I'd start out by using a good herbicide on the grass in the area where the food plot will be planted. Then, check with the local seed and feed store and see what type of spring mix they offer. You will find that the local seed blends will usually provide a much better plot than any of the National branded food plot seeds on the market. If you don't have heavy deer traffic, you might be able to establish a spring plot that will last through the summer and into the early fall. Down here, I usually end up planting at least three times each year, spring, summer, and late fall; but I get a lot of deer activity on my plots since they are planted on a pine plantation, and most of the land around me is either planted pines, old pine growth, or recent clear cuts. I'm also the only source of food plots in a pretty wide area, so I tend to get a lot of traffic from non-resident deer as well as my own resident herd. I don't know if chufa will work up in your part of the country, but it's a good attractant for both deer and turkey, plus if located in the right spot, it will pull in ducks. My problem with it is the turkeys will scratch the seed up and eat it before it gets a chance to sprout and grow.

You say you've got about an acre to play with? Why not plant half one seed and half, another? One other thing, I would add, is to get a soil test done and fertilize/lime accordingly, prior to planting.

as stated before,soil test,treat forweeds and prep soil.lookat using 2 different types of clover.a white clover for the spring early summer and a red clover for a fall winter mix.the turkeys will hit the white clover in the spring picking the white buds and the deer will be in it also.the red will get hit by mostly deer for the protein for the coming winter.